Autum international Ireland v South Africa : Frankie Sheahan is a poster boy for the attributes that help speed the rehabilitation of injured athletes. It's about belief, dedication and an unquenchable spirit that sustained him through the darker days.

When he damaged his neck while playing for Munster in their opening match of last season's Heineken European Cup, few realised the extent of the injury.

It necessitated a whistle-stop tour of waiting-rooms and specialists. There were those who whispered he might never play again. Sheahan kept his counsel and his faith unswerving during those 12 months in which he worked hard to return to a game he loves.

This week he's ensconced in the Killiney Castle Hotel, back in the national squad, and guaranteed a place in the match 22 for Saturday week's Test match against South Africa at Lansdowne Road. Life is good.

"I'm really delighted," he said. "It was a long year last year, watching on for Munster and Ireland. I was very proud of the lads in terms of winning both the Heineken Cup and the Triple Crown. It was an excellent achievement - it's great to be part of the scene again.

"It was tough, emotional at times. I was thrilled that Munster won (the European Cup) but I suppose on a personal level I was gutted not to be involved.

"The injury is something I'm hoping to put behind me and now I'm just looking forward to getting in again."

He knew about the whispers that his career might be over. The litmus test came on the training ground.

"There were suggestions I wouldn't (recover fully) but I was confident enough. Once I was hitting the scrums in the training park, that was it for me - I was back."

His return to competition inevitably met with teething problems, Sheahan acknowledging his progress has been measured rather than meteoric.

"I'm improving with every game. In the Celtic League when the international guys are away, they (the matches) are that bit more difficult.

"When the boys came back it was better, well, obviously not the Leinster game," he laughed. "That wasn't a great one but the Heineken Cup game over in Leicester was really like the old days again. It was fantastic."

He capped his comeback with a try in Munster's European Cup victory over Bourgoin last weekend.

"It was a prerehearsed move," he confirmed. "Alan Quinlan did very well as he came around (the front of the lineout) and drew his man.

"We had spotted that during the week on the video - that the scrumhalf would be guarding the channel.

"I suppose I would have to back myself against a scrumhalf. It was nice. Every match is a little step.

"Our backs have taken a lot of criticism over the years but I thought they were outstanding on Saturday.

"That makes life so much easier. We sometimes have to work 15 phases to get a try but then you look at Barry Murphy, Trevor Halstead and John Kelly and what they did (from long range); it's exciting."

It hasn't all been bouquets. There were a few lineout problems on a wet and miserable day against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. It was merely a question of fine-tuning a number of small things and in truth getting some time together as a pack on the training pitch. The Bourgoin game highlighted the improvement and also included a try from a rolling maul.

The Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan will today announce his squad for Saturday week, and Sheahan is understandably loath to take anything for granted. But he admits he's itching to get back in the green jersey.

"It will be like winning my first cap all over again. I would love to be involved again. There are two hookers here (Ulster's Rory Best is the other) and hopefully I'll get a start in one of the games. It's fantastic to be back."